Nick Diaz has become THE topic heading into UFC 137, but the heavyweight fight between Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo—which is now the card’s co-main event—is an extremely important fight as well.
The fight may well have implications as to who will be next in line at a No. 1 contender fight or even a title shot.
However, to Mitrione, it really doesn’t matter a whole lot. In fact, it doesn’t really matter at all.
“I don’t get paid to worry about that,” Mitrione said concerning his proximity to a title shot at the UFC 137 media call. “I don’t really care, to be honest. If I go out there and kick Cheick Kongo’s ass, then that’s a conversation that we’ll have.”
Mitrione may not be concerned about the belt, but he’s definitely concerned about what’s below it—his “nuts and berries.”
Kongo has a reputation for landing groin shots, and it’s a reputation that the former NFL star is certainly aware of and is (hopefully) prepared for.
The Illinois native doesn’t have any special technique for avoiding being hit below the belt; he just hopes his cup is “one that’s, hopefully, protecting.”
“As long as it covers my jewels, my nuts and berries, I’ll be alright.”
Nut shots aside, Mitrione still has reasons to be cautious when fighting Kongo.
The Frenchman recently increased his stock with an unbelievable comeback victory over Pat Barry that is widely considered to be the best comeback in MMA history (or the second best if you think the best was Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen).
Is this what has Mitrione concerned? Yes, but concerned is too strong a word; Mitrione is just aware.
“Cheick is resilient and he’s not gonna let the fight get stopped,” he said. “He’s got a ton of heart…If you get him in trouble, he’s too active and the [referee] won’t stop the fight because he’s so active.”
The fight between Mitrione and Kongo will be the co-main event of UFC 137 and will almost certainly be a fight of the night candidate due to each fighters striking-oriented style as well as Kongo’s apparent ability to knock people out when he’s seemingly unconscious.
Should Mitrione win, he’ll rise in the heavyweight rankings and will be labeled a contender, making his fight with Kongo one that should definitely be watched (even if you are squeamish regarding shots below the belt).
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